SEC implementing collaborative replay for 2016 season

Beginning with the 2016 season, SEC football replay reviews will follow a different protocol.

Personnel based at SEC Headquarters in Birmingham, Ala., will assist the in-stadium Instant Replay Officials with reviewing plays, the conference announced Tuesday.

“Our goal is to continue to use the best-available resources to support correct outcomes when instant replay is used,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “We believe the collaborative effort, which will involve additional officiating experts during replay reviews, will enhance the Conference’s football officiating program. I believe this update to the instant replay review process will better support football officiating in the SEC through the use of technology.”

The complete list of changes is expected to be detailed in a media briefing during the SEC Spring Meetings, which are scheduled to take place in Destin, Fla.

“This is an important and positive step for our officiating program and I look forward to implementing our plan to combine advanced technology with officiating expertise,” Steve Shaw, the SEC’s Coordinator of Football Officials, said in a statement. “Our successful test in the spring gave us the comfort level to move forward with execution of the plan for this fall. I look forward to communicating with my colleagues in other conferences to discuss best practices and the most effective use of collaborative replay.”